I have noticed that the word ‘sociopath’ seems to have entered into common usage recently. Usually it is used in a soft way, not so much in the sense of the dictionary definition but rather as a designation of someone who is a little anti-social, self-focussed, self-contained, not understanding or interested in deep relationships.
In some ways, this is coherent with the ardent individualism of contemporary society; where the individual accepts no constraints on his/her liberty of choice and action. All social relationships are therefore contingent and precarious; between employers/employees, between husbands/wives, even between parents/children.
We have seen this new reality revolutionise social patterns and mores over the past four decades. Sadly, by most measures this seems to have had an almost universally negative effect on the happiness, human flourishing and wealth of our society.
Which is all very sad and regrettable, but this is not a political blog and I do not propose to treat political subjects here. So why am I talking about this subject?
My concern is that the contemporary spirit of individualism is not only affecting society, but, much more seriously, it is also affecting the Church. (I say ‘much more seriously’ because societies come and go – only the Church is eternal. Societies are merely the product of human ideas and models – the Church is God’s creation.)
Christian theology contains an inherent obstacle to sociopathy.
We cannot be in a relationship with God as an individual.
Whilst we may come to God as a result of an individualistic numinous encounter with the Divine Reality, the very moment that we enter into a relationship of trusting faith we enter God’s family – saving faith is experienced only as a social reality.
When the Bible speaks of family it does so with the optic of Semitic life – where the family was the robust, unshakeable, enduring basis for all communal life.
This understanding is made clear by Saint Paul when he uses the metaphor of the human body to explain the nature of the Christian family.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5, NIV)
Did you notice the nightmare tag-line?
Each member BELONGS to all the others.
If you are a Christian you are obligated to express the reality of your relationship with God by taking your place in a unit of His family – a Christian fellowship; a fellowship in which you will belong to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
What does it mean to belong to someone?
It means that you, your resources, your time, your plans, and your goals cannot be determined or disposed of outwith a consideration of the needs and flourishing of the group.
Now the question is, “Is this your experience of the reality of church?”
If not (and I would imagine for most Christians this is the case) then why not?
An even bigger question also presents itself.
If our experience of Church has not been one of radical belonging, has it even been Church?
Have you or I ever actually seen a truly Christian Church?
I would guess that the answer is probably ‘No’.
I would further predict that should we ever see such a thing we would be terrified by it; we would not want to go near it.
It would strike us as too costly, too limiting, too challenging, too dangerous.
And it is for all those reasons that we desperately need it.
FuelForPilgrims 